The Economic Development Coalition for Asheville-Buncombe County (EDC) and the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce announce the appointment of Benjamin P. Teague as Senior Vice President of Economic Development.
Teague is currently serving as Vice President of Economic Development with the Area Development Partnership (ADP) in Hattiesburg, MS and previously worked with the Mississippi Technology Alliance (MTA) in Ridgeland and Jackson, MS.
Teague is considered a new model economic development professional with experience in high-tech and niche recruitment, sustainable growth, public/private partnerships, innovative financing and strategic planning. In addition, he is schooled in the fundamentals of retention of existing industry and business, advanced manufacturing recruitment and start-up businesses.
“Ben is a highly motivated and articulate professional that will be an asset to our economic development program,” said Robert Sipes, Chairman of the EDC and Vice President-Western Region with Progress Energy. “Ben’s skills are a perfect complement to the present staff as the EDC assumes more responsibility for initiatives identified through the HUB Alliance effort,” said Richard J. Lutovsky, President & CEO of the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce.
“I am looking forward to joining an excellent economic development organization and being a part of the Asheville area’s growth and development,” said Teague.
Teague has a B.S. from Mississippi College where he played football and an MBA with honors from the University of Mississippi. He has been certified as an Economic Development Financial Professional (EDFP) and will sit for the Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) exam later this year.
Teague’s start date is December 10, 2008.